I Wore Ariana Grande's Hair for a Day and This is What Happened

I've been an Ariana Grande fan ever since she was 13 years old, when the curly-haired teen was the newest big voice on Broadway. Just a few years later, she became the lovable goofball on Sam & Cat, followed by the Ariana we now know and love today — the next-level pop star with hair for days.

Ari's fierce beauty looks are talked about just as much as her killer talent, and she proves that having big hair and a big voice aren't mutually exclusive. Every time she rocks a new hairstyle, it's all anyone can talk about, and she definitely knows how to own a signature look. In fact, these days, she has two — her infamous pony, and her latest go-to look, baby buns.

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So, what better way to pay homage to one of the biggest pop star's in the world than trying out her beauty routine for a day? I mean, I can't come close to singing like her, so giving her infamous signature looks a go is the next best thing. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy. Because Ariana is ~queen.~

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Me, Before

Even though I'm still rocking hair extensions from when I was magically transformed into Kylie Jenner for a day, I'm not the kind of girl who wakes up hours early to get ready in the morning. While being a fashion and beauty editor sounds ~glam~, most of the time, it's me in front of my computer for 10 hours wearing a messy bun instead of a sleek high pony like Ari. My makeup is usually pretty minimal — I still can't get my cat-eye to look even! — and I'd rather look laid-back than super-polished.

But Ariana doesn't do messy. Even when she's casual in sweats and oversized sweaters, her hair and makeup are always done. So that means I had to get up three hours earlier (!!!) to look like Ariana for a day.

The Makeup

Ariana's signature glam includes a black cat eye, pink shadow, and a matte pink lip. Since we've already established that my eyeliner skills are less than stellar, I enlisted celeb makeup artist Nina Soriano to teach me all the tricks. Nina started by applying a light contour to my face. Ariana's contour isn't as heavy as Kylie's, but it's still pretty bold.

She then applied individual false lashes, instead of a full set. That's because Ari'a lashes are long, but thin, instead of super-full. They felt a little weird during the application, but were much less heavy than the full set I wore as Kylie.

But I can't be Ariana without her signature black cat eye. Nina showed me how to rim my eyes so there's a ton of drama, but it doesn't look messy. The key is to lay it on thick, but clean up the line with a Q-tip and makeup remover.

Kathryn Wirsing

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Tbh, I was nervous. I don't like what I look like with a lot of eyeliner, but I was surprised by how much it brought out my brown eyes.

Kathryn Wirsing/Ariana Grande Instagram

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First Hairstyle: The Pony

When you think of Ariana Grande, you think of two things: big voice and big ponytail. Even though my extensions are long, I needed even more hair to complete my Ari transformation. So I hit up NYC's hair extension and blowout bar RPZL to try clip-in hair extensions. They come in chunks, and a hairdresser attaches them to your hair in a bun or in my case, a ponytail.

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After blowing out my hair straight, my hairdresser teased the top to make sure my ponytail stayed in place, with extra volume. It made for a really ~sexy~ look.

She then curled all my hair into big barrel curls. Finally, came the pony, which was wrapped with the extension. It took three tries to get it high enough and tight enough to rival Ari's and stay put all day.

Kathryn Wirsing

I don't mean to complain, because Ari does it all the time, but OMG it was TIGHT. So tight, I felt a headache coming on already. But the results? WORTH IT. (Also, I couldn't help but try on another popular Ariana accessory. How cute are these Tuleste earrings?)

Kathryn Wirsing; Getty

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I tried to be flirty and channel Ariana with my makeup on fleek, but I learned that I am the most awkward winker ever.

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Finishing Touch

My transformation into Ariana wouldn't be complete without an amazing cat-ear headband, this one from Ricky's. Am I Ariana yet?

Ariana loves her selfies, which she posts in black-and-white and flipped to the side, because why not? I attempted the side tilt like she does, but I felt pretty ridiculous. Still, it's silly and fun and I love that she doesn't take herself too seriously. So, I didn't either!

Kathryn Wirsing/Ariana Grande Instagram

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Ariana loves a good mirror pic, so I had to capture my whole look in the vanity. But wait — where's my Starbucks?!

Kathryn Wirsing; Instagram.com/arianagrande

In all honesty, wearing Ariana's pony did not make me feel cute. I'm so used to having hair in my face — maybe as a way to step back and hide a little — that having all my hair up and off my face made me super self-conscious and aware of every one of my features. For the first time ever, I wondered if I have a big forehead! Are my eyes different sizes? What was happening to me?

But I smiled for the camera just like Ari would. Because she's a professional.

Kathryn Wirsing

All that hair was constantly blowing in my face. The wind just made it worse — stuck right to my lipstick! Gross.

Kathryn Wirsing

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After just a few hours, I had a full-on headache from the tight pony. Being Ari is officially not easy.

Next Up: The Baby Buns

I literally couldn't wear the ponytail any longer, so I tried a slighter looser, less heavy hairstyle — her baby buns, which seems to be her go-to look these days.

Nina took my pony out (THANK YOU, my head can breathe) and twisted my hair into two Ari-style baby buns. They're really cute, and easier to do than you would think. While they look braided, it's actually just hair twisted around to create the bun, and then secured with bobby pins. Instead of the cat ears, I tried a more glam look with clear crystals, which Ariana seems to wear rock when she's wearing buns. Nina glued the tiny gems to my face with eyelash glue to complete my transformation.

Elizabeth Denton/Ariana Grande Instagram

Of course I had to go buy and yes, lick a pink donut with this look. Come on, I HAD TO. (Love you, Ari.)

Kathryn Wirsing

I felt a little more confident with the baby buns, but still totally out of my element. On my way to Starbucks, one girl yelled to me: "You're being Ariana Grande!" Thanks, girl.

Elizabeth Denton/Ariana Grande Instagram

Being Ariana just became FUN.

Back to Me

Sadly, I had to go back to reality at the end of the day. But I have a whole new appreciation for Ariana and all that goes into her signature look. It's not easy to look fierce in a tight ponytail that's killing your scalp, or wear baby buns without feeling a bit silly. And that eyeliner? Not easy to pull off! But somehow, she does so flawlessly. That's why she's the popstar and I'm stuck behind my computer. Still, it was really fun to be Ariana for a day, but even she has to let her hair down — at least once in a while. I did keep the crystals and eye makeup on for a few more hours, because it's the perfect blend of both me and Ariana.